In an about-face, New York State no longer considers horticulture an 'essential business'

On April 1, as the number of coronavirus cases in the state topped 92,000 and fatalities surpassed 2,000,  the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets changed their tune on businesses deemed essential. 

On March 24, NYSDAM had classified horticulture industries - landscapers, arborists, garden centers, greenhouses and the like - as "essential" businesses, as long as they followed CDC guidelines for employees and customers. 

Now, as of April 1, the rules have changed, with the only exceptions being horticulture businesses that grow food, in which case it is exempted from the new rule. However, the document detailing the change has been pulled from agency's website. 

There may be a glimmer of hope for landscape architects: The town of East Hampton's website, as of April 1, reports that, "Landscaping for maintenance and pest control ONLY has been deemed an essential business and may continue. Other than property maintenance, it has been determined that all new landscape projects, including new planting (except agriculture, for the production of food), is non-essential and must cease immediately."

That would still leave individuals in the ornamental and other industries as non-essential until the crisis eases.